LG directs govt to act quickly in fire incidents

Concerned over increasing number of fire mishaps in the National Capital, Lieutanant Governor Najeeb Jung today directed the Delhi government to streamline the standard operating procedures for prompt response.
The Lt Governor also asked the concerned department officials to ensure faster relief and rehabilitation of those affected in Masoodpur fire in Vasant Kunj in time bound manner, Delhi government officials said.
Around 206 fire cases were reported to the Fire Department in the last one week including the huge fire in slum cluster in Masoodpur area of Vasant Kunj which gutted 500 jhuggies.
Even yesterday evening, a fire broke out in a godown in a slum near the upmarket Satyamarg locality in Chanakyapuri and the fire tenders took almost 30 minutes to reach the spot.

According to sources, a top level Delhi government official had to call up the fire department to get the water tankers to the spot.
The L-G held a meeting today at Raj Niwas which was attended by Disaster Management Chief, Dharampal, Deputy Commissioner New Delhi, Ameya Abhyankarm and Deputy Commissioner Of Police and fire department officials.

According to the Delhi government officials, they have been asked to issue guidelines on do's and don'ts in slum areas to avoid cases of fire and short circuit in the summer season.
Apart from ensuring prompt response by fire department, quick reponse teams have also been asked to improve their response time in a bid to contain damage.

As for the guidelines to people, officials said that inflamable materials should be not be stored in the houses and kept away from items like gas and kerosene stove.
Apart from that, households should ensure adequate water storage so that it can be used in case a fire breaks out.